Membranous covering for structural devices and fastening means therefor



May 7, 1963 l.. P. FARNswoRTH ET AL 3,088,559-

MEMBRANoUs covERINc; FOR STRUCTURAL DEVICES AND FASTENING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 5, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 7, 1963 L. P. FARNSWORTH ET AL MEMBRANOUS COVERING FOR STRUCTURAL DEVICES AND FASTENING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 3, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 7, 1963 P. FARNswoRTH ETAL 3,088,559

MEMBRANOUS COVERING FOR STRUCTURAL DEVICES AND FASTENING MEANS THEREF'OR Filed Feb. 3, 1959 5 SlLeelBS-Slleel'l 5 3,088,559 MEMBRANOUS COVERING FOR STRUCTURAL DEVICES AND FASTENING MEANS THEREFOR Lee P. Farnsworth, Lancaster, Mass., Thomas F. King,

Berkeley, Calif., and Mitchell M. Hannoosh, Waltefield, Mass., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force Filed Feb. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 790,991 3 Claims. (Cl. 1259-36) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purpose without the payment of royalty thereon.

This invention relates to building constructions, and more particularly, to membranous coverings therefor, including means for .fastening such membranes to the open framework of such building constructions.

In a copending application, Serial No. 790,990, assigned to the U.S. Government in common with the present invention tiled on even date herewith, there is disclosed an embodiment of a structural device, fabricated in accordance with preselected structural and electrical considerations involved in fabricating a building comprised of an electrically-conductive framework and electrically non-conductive membranes. In said copending application there are references to the advantages afforded by such a building, particularly when used as a radome device in climates subject to adverse weather conditions, such as prevail in the polar regions of the earth.

The present invention is concerned with membranous coverings for such structures, and with the fastening means employed for such coverings. The framework may conveniently be an electrically-conductive framework, and the membranes may conveniently be electrically non-conductive membranes, with said membranes carried by the vindividual members that comprise the framework. As

described in the aforementioned copending application, the erection of a building fabricated in accordance with the principles disclosed therein cannot be set forth with particularity because of the many factors that must be considered before undertaking the erection of such a building. Thus, two procedures for erecting the building were disclosed: one, involving the erection of the framework on the ground about a centrally located tower, which supports the framework and is capable of raising the framework above the ground as the work proceeds; and the second, erecting the framework on a previously fabricated base from the ground up. The first procedure is probably more practical for large buildings erected in climates subject to adverse weather conditions because large buildings are necessarily fabricated with a framework comprised of interlocking metal members and such a framework does not attain sufficient rigidity to withstand strong winds or adverse weather until the framework is substantially completed, anchored in place in a sturdy foundation, and enclosed by the membranes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for attaching membranes to a framework to enclose the framework, the fastening device being advantageous for any procedure selected for erecting the framework.

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for attaching electrically non-conductive membranes to an electrically conductive framework to enclose the framework, the fastening device facilitating the attachment of the membranes to the framework as soon as sufficient framework is assembled.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for attaching electrically non-conductive membranes to a framework comprised of interlocked metal members to enclose the spaces between members, the fastening device being advantageous in that the memice branes can be attached to the members as soon as a sufficient number of members are positioned and can be enclosed by a membrane.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for attaching electrically non-conductive membranes to a -framework comprised of interlocked metal members, the fastening device having a locking member for clamping membranes fitted in place to enable them to be carried by the members.

It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a fastening device 4for attaching electrically non-conductive membranes to a framework comprised of interlocked metal members, the members being designed to carry two membranes thereon and the fastening device being employed to clamp individual membranes in place to have them carried by the members.

It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a fastening device for attaching electrically non-conductive membranes to a framework comprised of electrically conductive members interlocked in spaced relation, the fastening device having a locking member which is insertable into grooves provided in the members for securing the ends of membranes fitted in place to cover the spaces between members and which locking device can be adjusted to clamp the membranes in place.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a fastening device for securing membranes to spaced interlocked members comprising a framework of a building. The membranes are employed to enclose the metal framework to protect equipment `contained therein. This is especially desirable for equipment to be maintained and operated in areas subject to `adverse weather conditions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in the aforementioned application, members were fabricated with a plurality of grooves therein for attaching and securing in place two membranes to each member once the members were sufficiently assembled and locked in place. The preferred embodiment should not be construed as a limitation on the usefulness of the present invention as said embodiment is deemed preferable for erecting 4larger buildings in areas subject to adverse weather conditions. Thus, one or more fastening devices of the present invention may be employed for securing membranes fitted in place to the members. For the larger buildings, two fastening devices are employed. As soon as a membrane is fitted in place to cover the opening between members, the fastening device, having an adjustable locking member, can be positioned to bear on the membrane and the locking member adjusted to hold the membrane in place. For erecting small buildings, a single fastening device may be used to secure two membranes carried .by each member. However, it is advantageous to use individual fastening devices for membranes fitted in place since less structure is required to be assembled before the membranes can be secured and only a single membrane must be supported while it is being secured to the members by the locking member.

These and other objects, features and Iadvantages of lthe present invention will become more lapparent and comprehensible by referring to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying ydrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a building fabricated with lan electrically-conductive framework and enclosed with electrically non-conductive membranes, which building can be employed as -a radome device;

FIG. 2 is a front-elevational View of the manner in which membranes are attached to a standard member with the fastening device of the present invention;

'FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view `of the configuration of a standard structural member;

FIG. 4 is front-elevational view of a membrane;

FIG. is a cross-sectional view of a membrane taken along the line 5 5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of an arrow-head adapted 4used to secure members :to a hub;

FIG. 7 isa three-dimensional view of a hold-down strip of the fastening device;

FIG. 8 is a side-elevational view of a 4wing nut; FIG. 9 is a planar View of the wing nut shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. l0 is a front-elevational of the base of a locking device of the fastening device;

FIG. 11 is a side View of the locking device taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the locking device taken along the line 12F-12 in FIG. lO.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an embodiment of a building 10 fabricated from an electricallyconductive framework 12, comprised of interlocked metal members 14 and enclosed or covered by electrically nonconductive membranes 16. The membranes 16 are carried by the members 14 and are clamped in place by a fastening device 18, show-n in FIG. 2, and described more fully subsequently. An antenna device 20 and an energizing -source 22 of electromagnetic wave enerby therefor may be housed within the building, which is fabricated ito function as a radome device.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the standard configuration of a member 14, fabricated from a material such as aluminum, is shown, ,although the length of members for a r-adome device of G-foot equatorial diameter vary from 12 to 15 feet. The overall dimensions of the standlard members are: overall height, 51/2 inches; width, 2 inches; and wall thickness, 1/2 inch. Members (not shown) terminating at the base 24 have a slightly modied coniiguration, but this is merely to facilitate attachment of members tothe base.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the configuration of -a membrane 16 .is shown, however, the length of the sides 'thereof vary depending upon the spacing between interlocked members to be covered. The overall standard cross-sectional conguration for all membranes is shown in FIG. 5. Except for some membranes (not shown) occurring at the base, the general conguration of the membranes is substantially triangular. Additionally, the membranes are fabricated from an electrically nonconductive material, such las polyester resin, and the ends thereof are flanged and substantially thicker than inner areas for rigidity purposes. The thickest portion of the membrane is inch. A seal 26, fabricated from a substance such as neoprene, is used to line the outer edges of member. This seal functions as `a shock absorber and cushion.

Hub terminals or tie points, fabricated from a rigid material such as ametal, are used to secure members, converging at substantially a common point in the congnration, in place. The means and manner for interconnecting members at hub terminals is more particularly described in a copending application, entitled Terminal Fittings and Interlocking Devices, Serial No. 790,990, assigned l.to the U.S. Government in common with the present invention.

As described in the sai-d copending application, in order to maint-ain the hubs as small as possible to reduce interference with :the passage of electromagnetic wave energy through the metal framework, arrow-head adapters are provided. The adapters are connected between the members converging at the hubs Land the hubsI in a manner to enable a plurality of substantially large members to be ailixed to a substantially small hub consistent with lstructural requirements for the framework.

Standard members are provided with a plurality of grooves or channels `along the length thereof. Outer grooves 52 and 54 are provided for inserting the anged ends of membranes therein and is best shown in FIG. 3. The seal 26 yalso functions to cushion contact between the metal member and the plastic membrane, and also is useful in weatherprooiing the building. Inner grooves 56 and 58 having llanged lip portions 60, 62, and 64 formed at one end thereof, are provided for attaching the fastening device 18 thereto to clamp a membrane insertable ina groove 52-or 54fin place.

The fastening device 1-8 and component parts and the manner in which membranes are secured in place is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 through 12. The fastening device 18 is comprised of a hold-down strip 66, which carries a plurality of bolts 68, washers 7i), spring-locking devices 72, and special type wing nuts 74 in a plurality of spaced openings 76 therein. The hold-down strip is fabricated from a metal, such as aluminum, and is substantially the sarne length 4as the member to which the membrane is to be clamped. The wing nuts 74 are carried on the threaded-bolts 68 and are held in place by the spring-locking devices 72 positioned intermediate the wing nuts `and the hold-down strip. Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the spring-locking device, the wing nut, and the manner `in which the fastening device nts into the inner groove 56 or 58 and clamps the membrane positioned in lan adjacent outer groove 52 or 54 in place. The wing nut 74 is held in place by the springlocking device 72 so that it is insertable into an inner groove when the hold-down strip is positioned initially.

Raised portions or ridges 7S and 80 are provided at the extremities of arms 82 and 84 of the spring-locking device. These ridges are designed to iit into a groove S6 in the under surface of the hold-down strip 66 that extends over the lentgh thereof. Similarly raised portions or ridges 88 and 90 are pro-vided in the spring-locking device on either side of a central opening 92 therein. These ridges may be fabricated by punching depressions in the material and are designed to t into grooves 94 and 96 in the top surface of the wing nut 74. When the ridges 78 and i80 lie in the groove 86 and ridges 88 and lie in the grooves 94 and 96 in the wing nut, the wing nu-t is in position for insertion into the inner groove 52 or 54 of the member. When the threaded bolt 63 is rotated approximately 90 degrees, the wing nut becomes disengaged, from the spring-locking device 72 and turns with the bolt 68 due to the self-locking action of the wing unit 74 until the wing nut lodges against the walls of the inner groove 56 or 58 of the member. Continued rotation of the threaded bolt then draws the wing nut up to the flanged lip portion 60 and 62` or 62 -and 64 of the member. In this manner, membranes are attached and carried by the members. The position of the wing nut in its initial and tightened positions is shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, it should be noted at this point that as soon as three members are positioned, a membrane can be secured in place in the aforementioned manner. It is obvious that the same or a modified fastening device based upon the same principles could be adapted to `secure two membranes to a member, however, it should be apparent that, aside from having to hold two membranes in place in order to secure them to a member, additional members have to be positioned otherwise the membranes would be unsupported until additional members are positioned. Thus, for larger frameworks to be erected in areas subject to adverse weather the present manner of securing membranes is advantageous.

The membranes have been described as being substantial-ly triangularly-shaped because of the manner selected for enclosing the metal framework. All membranes are formed with an arcuate portion of the vertices thereof instead of terminating at the junction of two sides. Membranes fitted in place and fastened as previously described form a circular configuration in the vicinity of the hub terminals. Provision is made for maintaining the interior of the building dry by enclosing the hub terminals wherein the individual members converse and are interlocked. These aspects 'are covered more fully in the copending 5 application, Serial No. 790,990, assigned to the U.S. Government in common with the present invention.

Having described an embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable not to limit the .sco-pe of the present invention to the size or configuration of a framework, or to the materials used for fabricating the framework as other embodiments of the present invention will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the prior art without departing from the spirit Aand scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is `desired that the :scope of the present invention be interpreted by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fastening -device for securing a membranous covering to Ithe members forming an open building framework, said members having four aligned rectangular grooves along one surface thereof, said fastening system comprising means for clamping said membranous covering in place in the two outer aligned rectangular grooves in said members, and a plurality of locking devices carried by said clamping means and insertible into the two inner aligned rectangular grooves in said members for securing said clamping means to said membranous covering, for support of said covering by said members.

2. A fastening device for securing membranes to members forming an open building framework, said members having a series of four aligned rectangular recesses along one surface thereof, said device comprising means for clamping membranes itted in place over the two outer recesses of said series of recesses, and a plurality of locking devices carried 4by said yclamping means insertible into the two inner recesses of said series of recesses for securing said clamping means.

3. A fastening device for securing membranes to members forming an open building framework to enclose the framework comprising a plurality of parallel grooves the length of which are substantially equal to that of the members defining an open space in the Iframework to be covered by a membrane, and a plurality of spring-locking devices carried by the inner two of said grooves in spaced relation for clamping the edges of said membranes within the outer two of said grooves.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,921,303 Raschka Aug. 8, 1933 2,601,213 Poupitch June 17, 1952 2,877,877 Davis Mar. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 799,238 Great Britain Aug. 6, 1958 

1. A FASTENING DEVICE FOR SECURING A MEMBRANOUS COVERING TO THE MEMBERS FORMING AN OPEN BUILDING FRAMEWORK, SAID MEMERS HAVING FOUR ALIGNED RECTANGULAR GROOVES ALONG ONE SURFACE THEREOF, SAID FASTENEING SYSTEM COMPRISING MEANS FOR CLAMPING SAID MEMBRANOUS COVERING IN PLACE IN THE TWO OUTER ALIGNED RECTANGULAR GROOVES IN SAID MEMBERS, AND A PLURALITY OF LOCKING DEVICES CARRIED BY SAID CLAMPING MEANS AND INSERTIBLE INTO THE TWO INNER ALIGNED RECTANGULAR GROOVES IN SAID MEMBERS FOR SECURING SAID CLAMPING MEANS TO SAID MEMBRANOUS COVERING, FOR SUPPORT OF SAID COVERING BY SAID MEMBERS. 